Société de transport de Laval - Distribution of face coverings for public transit users begins

LAVAL, QC, May 22, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Effective May 25, the Société de transport de Laval will start distributing face coverings to users, as part of a concerted operation involving all four Montréal metropolitan area public transit authorities. This operation was made possible thanks to the financial support of the government of Québec. The distribution points will be the Montmorency and Cartier terminals, during peak hours. Distribution will be by hand, a method approved by public health authorities. Squads of STL employees will be onsite handling the distribution. They will be equipped with visors, masks and gloves. For detailed distribution times, visit bit.ly/STL-COVID19. Limited quantities per distribution day, while supplies last.

In total, 15,000 reusable face coverings will be distributed in Laval during this first round, which will span several days. From said quantities, 1,000 face coverings will be sent by mail to paratransit users. More rounds will be forthcoming in the coming months, depending on how the situation evolves and supply volumes. The plan is to distribute around 1.5 million face coverings across the Montréal metropolitan area by the time this operation comes to term. Upcoming distribution dates will be communicated to users on our website and social networks.

Think about your fellow riders
We are asking riders who already have face covering to abstain from taking more.

QUOTE from STL Board President Éric Morasse

"I wish to start by thanking our STL employees, many of whom volunteered for this distribution operation, for their titanic effort ever since this pandemic began. It is an honour to work alongside them today. With this round of distribution and those that will follow, the aim is to foster the use of face coverings by the bus riding community. As we've seen these past weeks, and will see increasingly as lockdown restrictions ease as of today, social distancing will no longer be possible when using public transit. We must all adapt to this new reality, which we will have to contend with for many months to come. Adhering to the directives and recommendations requires changing how we do things so we may continue providing this essential service."

REMINDERS

A reminder that the INSPQ Québec public health institute strongly recommends wearing face coverings when using public transit and wherever it is impossible to practice sufficient social distancing.

Also, as we strive to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, face coverings should not be construed as substituting the other hygiene and public health measures already in effect. Face coverings are meant to supplement said measures, including frequent handwashing, breathing etiquette and social distancing.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Important: The STL wishes to remind those who will be receiving face coverings they must wash it before use. The recommended procedure is to put it directly in the washing machine, using a hot cycle, and then dry thoroughly.

NEW PUBLIC TRANSIT ETIQUETTE RULES

In addition, to avoid spreading the virus aboard our vehicles, we are asking for everyone's cooperation, namely:

    --  Do not eat on buses
    --  Do not leave any trash behind
    --  Wear face covering
    --  Practice social distancing whenever possible (especially when purchasing
        passes and tickets, while waiting for the bus or to board the bus, while
        walking)
    --  Avoid touching surfaces as much as possible
    --  Apply recommended hygiene measures (coughing in elbow, frequent
        handwashing, discarding tissues safely, avoiding touching your face,
        etc.)

IN THE MEANTIME

During these unpredictable times, the STL is ready to apply any new recommendations issued by the provincial tactical taskforce, made up of experts from the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), the Institut national de la Santé publique (INSPQ), Québec trade unions and public transit authorities.

For a complete rundown of the measures in place, visit bit.ly/STL-COVID-19

About the Société de transport de Laval

The STL develops and operates an integrated network consisting of buses, school transport, shared taxis, and paratransit transport which together combine for 19+ million trips per year. The STL's regular bus network consists of 46 routes, some 2,700 stops and covers over 1,400 kilometres across the Laval territory. The STL is among the most innovative transit authorities in the world. www.stlaval.ca.

SOURCE Société de transport de Laval